[Che-student-staff-list] Updates for FRNY building

Wed May 20 15:21:46 EDT 2020

Hello everyone,

I hope everyone stays safe and is practicing social distancing as part of the effective ways to reduce the spread of Covid-19, and to ensure a speedy and safe return to research operations at Purdue and in our School. Although there is little information I can share at this time, I wanted to make you aware of some developments regarding reopening of FRNY to research operations (and not only) in the near future. I know the email is lengthy, so please read patiently to the end, as it contains important information.

  1.  We had the initial building assessment on Monday and received guidance and instructions on what we need to do regarding public spaces to ensure social distancing in common/public areas. These areas did not include offices and shared offices at this point. Nick and Jeff are working hard (thank you!) in ensuring we meet the estimated opening date of June 5th. This date is only an estimate and depends on many factors out of our control, such as installation of hand sanitizer stations near the doors that will be designates as entrances in the building. Please note that not all doors will be open for entrance; there will be doors used as exit/emergency exit only. As progress is made and I have more information, I will share that with you.

  1.  There are a few labs with research activities deemed as "essential"; therefore these labs are open and researchers are present in the building and working in compliance with Purdue regulations. I received news that EVPRP, in coordination with Facilities, began the process of labeling lab doors with color coded signage as following:

     *   Starting today:  YELLOW door signage will be added on door of all identified critical research spaces. This signage will read: "This Research Space is open for Critical Research only for the researchers and work specified in the forms submitted and acknowledged by EVPRP." The buildings and rooms numbers for these critical research spaces come from Critical Research Continuity Information submissions received through May 17 (PI n ~ 433). These yellow signs will replace existing door signage as appropriate; any current signs indicating the presence of hazards in a room must remain posted.
     *   Next week, EVPRP will begin the process of posting RED signage on all research spaces that were not included in Critical Research Continuity submissions received by May 17. This signage will read: "This Research Space does not yet have an approved COVID Research Space SOP and is not open for use." Please note that no additional researchers or supporting personnel should return to campus (or expand critical research operations currently being conducted) until the building is certified and open per University guidelines (I will send a message when this is happening). Those currently on campus should continue to conduct critical research as described in your Critical On-Campus Research Continuity submission.
     *   All research spaces will be issued GREEN signage, to replace the red or yellow, once the PI associated with a given space has an approved COVID-19 Research Space SOP. This SOP approval is required for researchers to open their research spaces and continue their work. Little information is given regarding this SOP, but it was announced that Purdue will provide a template that needs to be personalized with information specific to the lab for which is developed. The SOP needs to be personalized by PI and submitted for approval (details regarding the process of submission and approval was not shared yet, but details will be communicated in due time).

There are a few things that can be done to speed up the return to research, once the building is certified for this (to turn the red/yellow door postage into green):

  1.  PIs and safety officers: start thinking about what to include in the lab specific SOP. The lab specific procedures in the SOP should address three guidelines (PPE and face coverings, social distancing, and people de-densification). Please consider scheduling shifts, looking at how many people can work in a lab according to the required 120 square feet/person current requirement, working remotely for tasks that can be performed remotely (e.g.: data analysis), engineering controls and/or additional PPE that can be used for tasks requiring more than one person, cleaning/disinfecting procedures for lab, shared instruments/equipment, surfaces).
  2.  Training: Before returning to working on campus everyone will be required to complete the "Covid-19 on-site employee safety training" and log their training via the Qualtrics "Training sign-in form" located under the training material. This training can be completed any time (link: https://www.purdue.edu/ehps/rem/worker/COVID-19%20Resources.html). Once you log the training you receive an email confirmation - keep this as a PDF copy as I will need proof that you completed the training before returning to the building. This training will be an integral part of the return to campus safety protocols, along with our specific ChE yearly refresher training (I am working on finalizing the requirements for that and will send a separate email regarding completion).

Please see today's edition of Purdue Today for further COVID-19 related guidance updates on multiple fronts, including research: https://www.purdue.edu/uns/PurdueToday/current.htm. One important thing is that after May 26 everyone needs to wear face covering when entering a campus building (see this article in Purdue Today: https://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/purduetoday/releases/2020/Q2/new-protocols-issued-on-safe-health-practices-required-face-coverings,-distancing,-robust-personal-hygiene.html).

I hope this email sheds some light on the current status of reopening of our building and some procedures needed to be in place before we can restart research activities in FRNY. Please be sure to visit the Purdue Covid-19 website often (https://coronavirus.purdue.edu/), especially the information for researchers (https://coronavirus.purdue.edu/research/), which has the most up-to-date information (including procedures, protocols, etc) regarding efforts for reopening the campus for research.

Once the University is providing more clarity on safety requirements and policies for return to work, the ChE safety committee will develop our own safety policies, which will be shared with everyone in due time.

Stay safe,
Gabriela

__________________
Gabriela Nagy, PhD
Industrial Education Director
Davidson School of Chemical Engineering
Room FRNY G051
Purdue University
Tel: (765)-496-1710
E-mail: nagyg at purdue.edu<mailto:nagyg at purdue.edu>

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